Art comes to life at fourth anniversary celebration for ArtLab

By Ian Swaby
| 9:50 a.m. August 9, 2026

St. Pete aerialist, fire performer and artist Mala Vavourakis prepares to light up the canvas as violinist Candice Anderson performs behind her.

Sarasota
Neighbors

ArtLab began four years ago when Stephanie Grae, the founder and creative director of Grae Productions, launched a monthly party on the roof of Art Ovation Hotel before hosting events at other venues.

She said the ArtLab: in Motion event, held Saturday, was the largest such event she has held yet.

Members of the public, including Sarasota's arts community, packed Aleur Event Collective for the fourth anniversary party that showcased the arts through a range of art forms, including dancers, aerial performers, musicians, spoken word artists, installations and living sculptures.

Grae said the event was about 10 times the size of previous ones she has hosted, with more resources available to her at this point in time.

She said she hopes the public will take away that "there is a very fresh, thriving art scene full of many, many styles of arts, artists, performers, that are here to create and entertain."

“We have a little more of a luxury feel now, and I have more entertainers that I'm working with more regularly that are wanting to have the space to create something new," she said.

Living sculpture and dancer Carmen Lai Garden poses as guests mingle at the event.

Wolf Glenn and his girlfriend Dani Sims enjoy the vibes.

Sarasota's Yuliya Suvalava, a living sculpture, stands in front of a crowd as Sarasota's Natalia Logvinova paints her garments.

Greg Pennenga and Rebecca Adesanya socialize.

Sarasota's Natalia Logvinova paints the garments of Sarasota's Yuliya Suvalava, a living sculpture.

Sarasota's Yuliya Suvalava, a living sculpture, stands still as Sarasota's Natalia Logvinova paints her garments.

Sarasota's Yuliya Suvalava, a living sculpture, shows off her painted dress.

Sarasota's Alexis Fraser, known as "Lipstick Lex" creates a painting live.

St. Pete aerialist, fire performer and artist Mala Vavourakis turns up the heat.

St. Pete aerialist, fire performer and artist Mala Vavourakis shows her fire eating skills.

St. Pete aerialist, fire performer and artist Mala Vavourakis prepares her canvas.

St. Pete aerialist, fire performer and artist Mala Vavourakis uses fire to fill out a canvas.

Yolanda Mizama, Gregory Hoffman and Ana Molinari, and Susan and Greg North, enjoy the event together.

Violinist Candice Anderson accompanies the performance of St. Pete aerialist, fire performer and artist Mala Vavourakis.

Robyn Holl, cultural curator at Art Ovation Hotel, showcases her work.

St. Pete aerialist, fire performer and artist Mala Vavourakis created a grey piece in honor of Stephanie Grae. She said her work is typically blues or purples with a celestial theme.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.